I want Pancakes!

Yesterday morning Michael and I made pancakes and eggs for breakfast. Then
I went and took my shower and was putting my makeup on when I heard some clanking in the kitchen.

I went into the kitchen to find. . .


Michael washing his hands at the sink with hand sanitizer. and. . .

A trail of pancake mix from the cupboard with the mixing bowls. . .

. . . to the stovetop where he had poured the mix in with water and into the frying pan to cook the pancakes.


Notice the splat of margarine on the floor.


I almost lost it. . . then realized this was a great "kodak moment"


(It took me more than half an hour to clean all this up.)

Michael Loves Kai

Cindy won't let me keep Kai, so I am thinking of adopting a toddler! Michael absolutely adores Kai and loved being the "big brother" while Kai was here! Michael tried to teach him everything he knows and when he wanted Kai's attention he would say in a sweet voice "Elmer Kai come here." and when it didn't work the first time he would say in a stern loud voice "Elmer Kai! Come here!"


The first thing Michael had to teach Kai was how to drive!


Kai didn't quite get what Michael was trying to teach, so Cindy took over.


Kai liked the real thing much better than just driving on Mario Kart!


The next lesson was mowing the lawn. (Michael, corporal punishment was done away with years ago)

Kai was a natural at lawnmowing!


Uh oh! Is it out of gas?


After all the work was done it was time for Grandpas banana pancakes!


MMMM MMMM MMMMMMMMM banana pancakes!

Red Light Green Light

Michael is an extremely active 2 year old boy! He loves to run around the backyard with Buddy, Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Sara, or Grandpa! A couple months ago I taught him about traffic lights. . .
He took what he learned about traffic lights and turned it into a game. We had never played Red Light Green Light with him, but one day when he and I were running around in circles on the trampoline he stops dead in his tracks puts both hands out to stop me and yells out "Red light!" Then when he wanted us to go again he put his hands down and yelled out "Green Light!" He does the same thing when I take him out to ride his bike.

What a cute smart kid!

Through a Window

Through a window she saw the world

People came and people went
To each one her love she sent
Many things she couldn't do
Like pick her nose or tie her shoe
The things she could, she did the best
The lives she touched she truly blessed
As children, she taught us how to knit,
reading, writing, arithmetic
As we got older, and times were rough
Her life lessons she shared with us
She always lent a listening ear
and in our hearts we hold her dear
She suffered pain and poor health
She lived for others and Not herself
There are no words to express our gratitude
Instead we will live our lives with her good attitude
Through a window she saw the world
Through a window she changed our world



In honor of our aunt, Linda, Cindy and I wrote that poem. Linda's funeral was held today in Springville, Utah. We were unable to go, but we wanted to do something to show Aunt Linda that we care, and to express how grateful we are for all that she is. We love you Aunt Linda and we are so happy for you, that you are now doing cartwheels in heaven!

Backseat Driver!

Lately Michael has been doing this thing where he sticks his hand out and yells "stop" whenever I am not listening to him, or getting after him about something. So, the other day, Michael and I are going to the store and I am singing along with the radio. He sticks his hand out and yells "Stop Mommy stop!" I quit singing. Again he sticks his hand out and yells "Stop Mommy stop!" "Too fast!" I then realize he wants me to stop the car. So I explain some traffic rules to him. ie stop at a red light go on a green light.

Now, whenever we come to a red light he tells me to stop. If the light is green he yells "go." I am trying to teach him how lights work when making turns. Because whenever I go to make a right turn at a red light he freaks out yelling "Stop Mommy, red light!"